Hay-rack.



No. 69l,527. Patented Jan. 2|, I902. F. E. BRIGHT.

HAY BACK.

(Application filed Sept. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

INVENTOI? 274% 62 Era/#1 Patented Jan. 2|, I902. F. E. BRIGHT.

HAY RACK.

(Application filed Sept. 28, 1901.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES Patented Jan. 2|, I902. F. E. BRIGHT.

HAY RACK.

(Application filed Sept. 28, 1901.)

3 Sheets-Sheetv 3.

(No Model.)

' h Ffd/Qffi @7266),

' INVENTOH WITNESSES .7

Tu: NORRIS PETERS ca, PNOT0 L|THO,. WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK ELMER BRIGHT, OF LAPEL, INDIANA.

HAY-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 691,527, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed September 28, 1901. Serial No. 76,870. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK ELMER BRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lapel, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovement-s in Hay-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in hay-racks; and it has for its objects, among others, to provide an improved rack in which the ends shall be removable and yet firmly secured in position for use and in which the sides of the rack are pivoted by a novel means so they may be turned down when desired and when in their closed position securely held against all tendency to fall. A toggle-lever arrangement is provided which serves as a strong brace when the sides are up, and yet by breaking the joints in the usual way the sides are free to be turned down. Means are provided ,for limiting the downward movement of the sides and serving as guides, so that the parts are compelled to move in a prescribed path.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective View of the im-' proved rack with one of the sides let down. Fig. 2 is a view showing one of the end pieces partially removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of one of the hinges and toggle-levers. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail thereof. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail of one of the end pieces, showing the two parts thereof in their distended position. Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the same. Fig. 7 is a view looking at one corner of the rack, showing the end pieces in their closed position.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, l designates the bottom of the rack, of

.any preferred form of construction, being braced upon its under side by the transverse bars 2, and at one end and at points between the said end and the opposite end having the useful function, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

4 designates side pieces of short height secured in any suitable manner,with their lower edges resting uponthe cross-pieces 3,asshown. These form the permanent side portions of the rack. These side pieces 4 are provided near each end with the vertical grooves 5, into which the main portion 6 of the end pieces removablyfits. Cross-rods 7 maybe employed, if necessary, in order to strengthen the rack, being passed through opposite side pieces 4 in proximity to the said grooves, as shown.

8 is the main portion of the end piece. It comprises the lower piece 9 of short height, preferably of the same height as the side pieces 4, as shown, and which is adapted to slide in the grooves 5 in opposite side pieces 4, and

to opposite ends of this lower piece 9 are secured the vertical bars 10, connected by the cross-bars 11 to form a slatted end portion. At the upper'ends of these bars 10 are secured suitable pieces 12,wl1ich serve as guides for the supplemental portion 13 of the end pieces, which latter comprise each the vertical side bars 14, the cross-bars 15, and the inclined brace-bars 16, all as clearly shown in the drawings. The end piece 13, constructed as above described, is designed to slide upon the main portion 8, being held against displacement by the guides 12, and, further, by the cross-bar 17, preferably of metal, which is secured to the outer faces of the vertical bars 10 near their upper ends, and the said cross-bar 17 has its ends extended to serve a purpose which will soon be made apparent.

The supplemental portion 13 is provided upon its side bars, near their lower ends, with the spring-metal arms 18, the lower ends of which are provided with the hooks 19, as shown, to spring into engagement with the cross-bar 17 when the supplemental portion 13 is raised to its highest limit to hold the same in position there until the hooks are disengaged,when the supplemental portion may be lowered. It is to be understood that the main portion 8 is adjustable and removable and that the supplemental portion is adjustable uponthe said main portion. As the supplemental portion is raised the catches automatically spring into engagement with the cross-bar.

20 designates triangular castings or pieces having one arm secured to the extended ends of the transverse timbers 3 and one to the outer face of the side 4. The other arm connects these two and forms a strong brace therefor. At the junction of the vertical and inclined arms is a horizontal flange 21, which engages the top of the side piece 4, as is clearly shown in the drawings, to help brace the parts.

22 designates the movable side portions of the rack. The lower ends of the vertical posts 23 thereof are slitted, as seen at 2%, and into these slits extend the plates 25,which are there securely fastened, and their lower ends are pivoted, as at 26, in ears 27, formed at the upper ends of the castings 20, as shown. At one end of the rack the horizontal portion and inclined arm of the casting are omitted, as shown, the same not being required.

28 designates links loosely pivoted at their upper ends, as at 29, to the vertical posts of the movable side portions 22 of the rack, as

, shown, and to their lower ends are pivotally connected, as at 30, the upper ends of the arms 31, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected, as at 32,.to the outer ends of the castings 20. The length of the link and arms is such and their disposition such that when the side portions of the rack are in their elevated position the pivots 30 will be out of line with the pivots 29 and 32, as shown, so

as to form a lock which will prevent move ment of the toggles till the latter are moved outward to break the joint in a manner which will be readily understood. When once broken, the movable sides of the rack may be turned down into the required position.

The extreme ends of the sides 22 are provided withstaples, loops, or eyebolts 33, ex-

tending in the direction of the length of the ered to their full extent serve to prevent undue strain thereon.

.The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, and a further detailed description thereof is not deemed necessary.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

"What is claimed as new is- 1. In a hay-rack, the combination with a removable end section, and a supplemental end piece movable thereon, ot' a cross-bar on said section, and automatic catches pivotally mounted on the supplemental end piece to engage said'cross-bar, as set forth.

2. The combination with the bottom and sides having guide-grooves, of an end section movable in said grooves, guides on the end section, a cross-bar on said section, a supplemental end piece movable on said section, and pivoted hooked catches pivoted on the end piece to engage said cross-bar, as set forth.

3. In a hay-rack, the combination with the sides, of pivoted sides and toggle-levers connected therewith, end pieces, cross-bars connected to the end pieces and hooked catches connected to the cross-bars and engaging the hinged sides, as set forth.

4. In a hay-rack, the combination with the sides, of movable sides hinged thereto, and toggle-levers pivotally connected with the movable sides and arranged to serve as locks therefor, end pieces, and hooked catches con- -nected to the end pieces and engaging the sides, as set forth.

5. In a hay-rack, the combination with the bottom and the fixed sides, of the transverse timbers with their ends extended beyond the sides of the bottom, the movable sides pivoted at their lower edges, the castings secured to the extended ends of the said timbers and to the fixed sides, and toggle-levers pivotally connected to the movable sides and to the outer ends of the said castings and to each other and serving as automatic looks, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK ELMER BRIGHT.

Witnesses:

S. E. WALKER, NELLIE WALKER. 

